Dog Ear Yeast Infection Vs Ear Mites: Our Veterinarian Explains

Dog ear yeast infections and dog ear mites are both incredibly complex issues. Both issues require veterinary treatment and often have painful symptoms if treatment is not arranged. Despite how similar the two diseases might seem, understanding what makes them unique is crucial for treatment.

What Are the Differences Between Dog Ear Yeast Infection Vs Ear Mites?

Discharge

Both dog ear yeast infections and ear mites produce discharge. Despite that commonality, the appearance of the discharge actually couldn’t be any more different. If your dog suffers from an ear yeast infection, you may notice a waxy yellow or brown foul-smelling discharge oozing from the ears.

Dogs suffering from ear mites will present with a strange discharge inside their ears that resembles coffee grounds. The discharge is the waste left behind by the mites feeding on the ear wax.

Rarity

While both ear mites and ear yeast infections are familiar to most veterinarians, it’s safe to say that ear yeast infections are significantly more common. In contrast, most veterinarians only rarely encounter and treat ear mites.

Loss of Balance

One of the most noticeable symptoms of an ear yeast infection is the loss of balance. Dogs rely on their ears functioning properly to balance their bodies, and if the infection reaches far enough, it may result in symptoms like clumsiness or a slight head tilt. These symptoms generally don’t appear with a dog suffering from ear mites.

Common Symptoms of Dog Ear Yeast Infections and Ear Mites

Itchiness

One of the most apparent characteristics of dog ear yeast infections and ear mites is the itchiness that the infection causes. If your dog is suffering from either condition, you might notice them constantly scratching at their ears. Both issues are known to be incredibly uncomfortable for dogs to suffer from.

Redness, Swelling, and Inflammation

If you notice that your dog’s ears appear red and inflamed, it can be for various reasons. Dogs often present with inflamed ears due to issues like ear infections or allergic skin reactions. The swelling can also occur due to bug bites, ear mites, or ear blockages.

Odor

Both ear mites and ear yeast infections are known to cause incredibly foul odors if left untreated. If your dog seems to have a foul odor coming from their ears, you should take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. As mentioned before, ear infections are an excruciating issue. If you notice signs like a foul odor from your dog’s ears, the infection has unfortunately already reached a severe point.

How Are Dog Ear Yeast Infections Treated?

If your veterinarian suspects your dog is suffering from an ear yeast infection, they will generally start by inspecting the ear and determining the scope of the damage. This will allow them to see if the eardrum is still intact and if any other factors might be causing the yeast infection.

Afterward, you can generally expect that the veterinarian will want to take a sample of the material within the ear to verify what is causing the infection. Depending on the agent responsible for the condition, the veterinarian will prescribe the most effective course of treatment available.

Yeast infections are generally treated with creams like miconazole and ketoconazole, but many topical antifungal ointments can treat an ear infection. Your dog may need tablets or injections for particularly severe ear infections.

How Are Dog Ear Mites Treated?

The first step in treating dog ear mites is diagnosing the issue. If your veterinarian believes that ear mites cause your dog’s discomfort, they will physically examine your dog’s ears and use diagnostic testing methods to determine whether the mites are present. The mites are generally identified under a microscope.

If the veterinarian confirms that mites are the cause of the issue, they will prescribe medication to kill the pests. You will most likely need to take the prescription home and continue the treatment, as most treatments are meant to be used over the long term to kill mites at every stage of the life cycle.

You should remain fully compliant with the advice of your veterinarian as you attempt to help your dog recover from their ear mite infection. Ear mites are highly contagious, and it’s easy to accidentally reinfect your animal or expose other dogs within your household without caution.

Do I Need to Take My Dog to the Veterinarian?

If you believe your dog is suffering from ear mites or an ear yeast infection, taking them to the veterinarian is essential. You can’t treat these issues at home, and without the proper veterinary attention, dogs will often suffer horribly from the irritation and pain that the infections cause.

As the infections progress without treatment, dogs can often suffer long-term consequences like hearing loss or loss of balance. Unfortunately, this is common in dogs that are not taken to the vet at any point as the infection progresses.

You cannot treat these issues at home. Ear mites require special equipment and dog-safe insecticides to identify and treat, while ear yeast infections require diagnostic testing and prescriptions made on a per-case basis. While veterinary care might be a small cost in the short term, ensuring your dog continues thriving is worth it.

Prioritize Your Dog’s Hearing Health

It’s often understated just how vital hearing health is. Considering that the inner ear canal is responsible for allowing your dog to hear and balancing their body, ensuring that the ear canal remains healthy is one of the best things you can do to help your dog live a happy life. Luckily, as long as you have access to quality veterinary services, finding the proper treatment is often a simple process.